[Taxacom] Biodiversity and Species Value

[Steve Manning]

Hi Fabian,

Yes, my main point though is that the NUMBER of species in a place is 
more important than going to huge lengths to conserve one or a few 
particular species no matter where they are, so at present reliable 
estimates of the approximate NUMBER of species is more important than 
info. on their relationships, anatomy, genetics or even on their 
interactions.  Hence a higher priority to preserving tropical rain 
forest areas, even if poorly known in details, than a particular 
species of bird or bat that might be threatened there or anywhere 
else if other unknown species perish while we are focused on the 
"charismatic" species at their expense.

I know there are organizations doing this, but when it comes to 
funding support for research and conservation, as I am sure you know, 
sometimes one or a few species close to human habitation can get more 
concern than the more distant majority.

Best,
Steve

At 01:21 AM 6/10/2010, Haas, Fabian wrote:
>Well Steve,
>
>Basically I share you view and habitat destruction is a key factor 
>for biodiversity loss.
>
>The issue is that we need to make a point why exactly we want this 
>area protected and defend the decision. That is best done by saying 
>that this place is important because of... SPECIES living therein. 
>So we need info on species. A lot of work but alas, that's the way.
>
>IUCN has a nice report on how to find and delimit Key Biodiversity Areas...
>
>Cheers
>Fabian
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu 
>[mailto:taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of Hans Henderickx
>Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 2:14 AM
>To: Steve Manning
>Cc: Taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
>Subject: Re: [Taxacom] Biodiversity and Species Value
>
>Most people would give the bumblebee bat the highest priority.
>In a democracy this cuddly bat would win.
>In The Netherlands a larger part of biodiversity budget goes to the
>'research' of the spectacular Lucanus cervus, the best-known species of stag
>beetle, that occurs very rarely in a few Dutch natural reserves. Outside
>this area it is common in large parts of Europe.
>
>Hans Henderickx
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Steve Manning" <sdmanning at asub.edu>
>To: "Curtis Clark" <lists at curtisclark.org>; <taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu>
>Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2010 11:06 PM
>Subject: Re: [Taxacom] Biodiversity and Species Value
>
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > I prefer placing a higher priority on preserving ecosystems rather
> > than particular species.  The ecosystems that are known to harbor the
> > most species would seem to have the highest priority; whether the
> > species therein are especially unique or threatened would
> > have  secondary priority; and the nature and relationships of species
> > therein would seem to me to be of tertiary importance.
> >
> > Steve
> >
> > At 09:59 PM 5/31/2010, Curtis Clark wrote:
> >>On 5/31/2010 6:07 PM, Kenneth Kinman wrote:
> >> > Hi Robin,
> >> >       Family Crasionycteridae is endangered due to human activity,
> >> > particularly deforestation.  Therefore I think humans should do what
> >> > they can to mitigate that damage.  It is often called the bumblebee
> >> > bat,
> >> > because it is the smallest of all bats, and considered by many to be
> >> > the
> >> > smallest of ALL mammals.
> >> >        Anyway, I see that it is on the EDGE Species List (EDGE =
> >> > Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered).  I've always thought
> >> > such species are special and should a higher level of protection than
> >> > species in speciose genera and families, and was glad to see the EDGE
> >> > Society formed a few years ago to promote that view.  I still think
> >> > they
> >> > are deserving of priority protection, especially when humans caused
> >> > their endangered situation.
> >> >
> >>
> >>So you'd rather we save an "evolutionarily distinct" species that by
> >>definition tickles our fancy than an "ordinary" species that is a
> >>keystone species in an endangered community? Interesting priority.
> >>
> >>--
> >>Curtis Clark                  http://www.csupomona.edu/~jcclark/
> >>Director, I&IT Web Development                   +1 909 979 6371
> >>University Web Coordinator, Cal Poly Pomona
> >>
> >>
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